Visum Et Repertum

Vlad I

Sent to the court of Sigismund at an early age, he was inducted into the secret society of the Order of the Dragon in February 1431. For this honour, he was addressed by the landed lords of his homeland as Vlad Dracul, or Vlad the Dragon, and for evidence carried around his neck, on his shield, and on his coin, the image of a dragon hanging on a double cross.

But, the common folk did not understand the importance of the honour given by the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. They only understood that the icon entertained by the house of Bassarab was identical to the orthodox image of the devil. And, since the word "Dracul" could be translated either "dragon" or "devil", it was not difficult for them to believe that Vlad was in league with dark and terrible forces.

He returned from the Roman court with the staff of office of Prince of Wallachia and governor of Transylvania, establishing his headquarters in the fortress of Sighisoara. From there, in 1434, he began his campaign to affirm his right to the throne and to remove the Turk from his lands. In 1436, he entered the capital of Tirgoviste and became Vlad I of Wallachia. His rule was short, bloody, and troubled. Forced by the death of Sigismund, his most powerful ally, in 1437, he signed a treaty with the Sultan Murad II of Turkey, going so far as to aid him in his raids on Transylvania, spilling the blood of his own.

 

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